RBDS scan, identify and select receiving method and system

Abstract

An RBDS compatible receiving method and system are provided. A broadcast receiver is tuned to a selected broadcast frequency. A first of two RBDS receivers operates in a locked mode to receive RBDS data associated with the selected broadcast frequency. Simultaneously, the second of the two RBDS receivers operates in a scanning mode to scan RBDS data associated with all broadcast frequencies. Match criteria corresponding with one or more categorical portions of RBDS data is compared with the RBDS signal associated with each broadcast frequency scanned by the RBDS receiver operating in the scanning mode. Each time a match occurs, the broadcast receiver can optionally be switched from the selected frequency to the broadcast frequency on which the match occurred while the first and second RBDS receivers switch operating modes.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. A receiver for operating within a broadcast frequency spectrum, said frequency spectrum defined by a plurality of broadcast frequencies having a subcarrier frequency for carrying a Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) type digital signal, said receiver comprising: a broadcast receiver having function controls activated by a user to selectively tune said broadcast receiver to a selected broadcast frequency in said frequency spectrum;   first and second RBDS receivers, one of said first and second RBDS receivers operating in a locked mode to receive said subcarrier frequency associated with said selected broadcast frequency, and one of said first and second RBDS receivers operating in a scanning mode to scan each said subcarrier frequency associated with each of said plurality of broadcast frequencies;   match criteria entry means activated by the user for inputting match criteria corresponding with at least one categorical portion of said RBDS digital signal;   a controller operatively coupled to said broadcast receiver, said match criteria entry means and said first and second RBDS receivers, said controller being provided with said match criteria, said controller comparing said match criteria with said RBDS digital signal associated with each of said broadcast frequencies scanned by said one of said first and second RBDS receivers operating in said scanning mode, said controller further generating a match signal every time a match occurs between said match criteria and said at least one categorical portion of said RBDS digital signal associated with one of said plurality of broadcast frequencies being scanned by said one of said first and second RBDS receivers operating in said scanning mode;   means, operatively coupled to said controller and responsive to said match signal, for identifying said one of said plurality of broadcast frequencies said every time a match occurs; and   manually operated entry means operatively coupled to said controller, said manually operated entry means activated by the user for generating a switch control command, said controller (i) switching said broadcast receiver from said selected broadcast frequency to said one of said plurality of broadcast frequencies, (ii) switching one of said first and second RBDS receivers operating in said locked mode to said scanning mode, and (iii) switching said one of said first and second RBDS receivers operating in said scanning mode to said locked mode, only when both of said switch control command and said match signal are present.   
     
     
       2. A receiver as in claim 1 further comprising: short-term memory storage operatively coupled to said first and second RBDS receivers for storing data carried by said RBDS digital signal associated with said selected broadcast frequency;   long-term memory storage operatively coupled to said short-term memory storage via said controller;   manually operated transfer means operatively coupled to said short-term and said long-term memory storage via said controller, said manually operated transfer means activated by said user for generating a transfer control command, said controller being responsive to said transfer control command for transferring said data from said short-term memory storage to said long-term memory storage.   
     
     
       3. A receiver as in claim 2 wherein said short-term memory storage comprises first-in, first-out type memory storage. 
     
     
       4. A receiver as in claim 2 wherein said long-term memory storage comprises non-volatile, random access type memory storage. 
     
     
       5. A receiver as in claim 2 wherein said means for identifying comprises a display device, said receiver further comprising manually operated retrieval means activated by said user for generating a retrieve control command, said controller being responsive to said retrieve control command for transferring selected portions of said data from said long-term memory storage to said display device. 
     
     
       6. A receiver as in claim 1 wherein said means for identifying comprises a visual display. 
     
     
       7. A receiver as in claim 1 wherein said means for identifying comprises an audio system. 
     
     
       8. A receiver as in claim 1 wherein said means for identifying comprises a visual display and an audio system. 
     
     
       9. A method for receiving a broadcast frequency spectrum in which each of a plurality of broadcast frequencies has a subcarrier frequency for carrying a Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS) digital signal, said method comprising the steps of: providing a broadcast receiver tuned to a selected broadcast frequency in said frequency spectrum;   providing first and second RBDS receivers having pilot frequencies set to said subcarrier frequency;   operating one of said first and second RBDS receivers in a locked mode to receive said subcarrier frequency associated with said selected broadcast frequency;   operating one of said first and second RBDS receivers in a scanning mode to scan each said subcarrier frequency associated with each of said plurality of broadcast frequencies;   providing match criteria corresponding with at least one categorical portion of said RBDS digital signal;   comparing said match criteria with said RBDS digital signal associated with each of said plurality of broadcast frequencies scanned by said one of said first and second RBDS receivers operating in said scanning mode;   generating a match signal every time a match occurs between said match criteria and said at least one categorical portion associated with one of said plurality of broadcast frequencies being scanned by said one of said first and second RBDS receivers operating in said scanning mode;   switching i) said broadcast receiver from said selected broadcast frequency to said one of said plurality of broadcast frequencies, ii) one of said first and second RBDS receivers operating in said locked mode to said scanning mode, and iii) said one of said first and second RBDS receivers operating in said scanning mode to said locked model only if said match signal has been generated.   
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 9 further comprising the step of identifying said one of said plurality of broadcast frequencies said every time a match occurs. 
     
     
       11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said step of identifying comprises the step of visually displaying a representation of said one of said plurality of broadcast frequencies said every time a match occurs. 
     
     
       12. A method according to claim 10 wherein said step of identifying comprises the step of issuing an audible report said every time a match occurs. 
     
     
       13. A method according to claim 10 wherein said step of identifying comprises the steps of: visually displaying a representation of said one of said plurality of broadcast frequencies said every time a match occurs; and   issuing an audible report said every time a match occurs.   
     
     
       14. A method according to claim 9 further comprising the step of providing a switch control command, wherein said step of switching only occurs when both of said switch control command and said match signal are present.